Bill Text: TX HR494 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Honoring the Texas Apartment Association on the 50th anniversary of its founding.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2013-02-22 - Reported enrolled [HR494 Detail]

Download: Texas-2013-HR494-Introduced.html

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83R8650 JNC-F
By: Murphy H.R. No. 494

R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Texas Apartment Association marks a notable
milestone in 2013 with the celebration of its 50-year anniversary;
and
WHEREAS, The association traces its origins to 1963, when
individuals from Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin saw a
need to bring rental housing owners together to discuss issues of
importance, advocate for fair legislation, and promote
professionalism within the industry; and
WHEREAS, TAA represents 10,700 individuals, who have
responsibility for nearly two million rental housing units across
the state and provide housing to more than four million Texans;
members hold property with a combined market value of more than $150
billion and pay property taxes exceeding $3 billion while employing
70,000 full-time employees; and
WHEREAS, The standardized lease contract forms and other
operational forms that are available to TAA members have played a
pivotal role in promoting consistent, fair, legal, and predictable
standards of operation for rental properties of all types across
Texas; in 1996, TAA gave these lease forms to the National Apartment
Association as a template that could be adapted for use nationwide,
and 43 states currently participate in this lease program; and
WHEREAS, Supporting legislation that protects the interests
of both renters and property owners, TAA has advocated for security
deposit and security device legislation, habitability standards,
ownership disclosures, pool yard enclosures, and smoke detectors;
and
WHEREAS, The organization has also encouraged
professionalism in the rental housing industry, developing
professional certification programs for apartment managers (CAM),
maintenance staff (CAMT), property supervisors (CAPS), and leasing
professionals (NALP); initially developed by TAA volunteers, these
standards were ultimately adopted by the National Apartment
Association for use nationwide; in addition, TAA sponsors
educational seminars, webinars, and an annual education conference
to provide learning opportunities to members; local associations
supplement these efforts with many more educational offerings at
the regional level; and
WHEREAS, In 2001, the group formed the TAA Education
Foundation to endorse industry careers and to develop and support
the creation of undergraduate and graduate programs in the rental
housing arena; TAAEF also established a free "Renting 101" online
course for high school students and other first-time renters, used
in classrooms around the state, and thousands of students have
benefited from this resource; and
WHEREAS, TAA has a long track record of communicating with
members about issues that are important to rental housing
operators; publications include regular articles offering guidance
on legal issues that affect members; and
WHEREAS, The work of the Texas Apartment Association has
benefited many property owners and renters in the Lone Star State,
and the conclusion of its first illustrious half century provides a
fitting opportunity to recognize this worthwhile organization;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby honor the Texas Apartment Association on the
50th anniversary of its founding and commend the group for its many
contributions to residents of this state; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the association as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.